Magnetic repulsion components for jewelry articles

ABSTRACT

Jewelry components that are magnetized with the same polarity and that are associated with a retaining element or elements so that they magnetically repulse each other and provide spatially arranged components that form new and unusual jewelry articles having heretofore unknown properties and advantages. The components are operatively associated so as to magnetically repulse each other so a plurality of such components can be joined or combined into rings, bracelets, chains, chokers, necklaces, watchbands or the like, with the magnetic force holding the components apart. When the components are moved or positionally changed in the piece due to movement of the wearer, gravitational changes or simple displacements, the magnetic forces cause the components to return to their original positions. These movements impart life and uniqueness to the jewelry articles that include the components and elements.

This application claims the benefit of application No. 60/725,132 filedOct. 7, 2005, the entire content of which is expressly incorporatedherein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND ART

The invention relates to jewelry components that are magnetized andjoined to form new and unusual jewelry articles having heretoforeunknown properties and advantages. In particular, the present inventionrelates to jewelry components that magnetically repulse each other so aplurality of such components can be joined or combined into rings,bracelets, chains, chokers, necklaces, watchbands or the like, with themagnetic force holding the components apart.

Jewelry articles are generally made of different types of preciousmetals and stones and are held together by mechanical linkages orinterconnections. This is of course well known to the skilled artisansand in common use today. Designers are somewhat limited by thesemechanical connections, and it would be desirable to have other joiningforms for creation of new and unusual jewelry articles.

The use of magnetic force to join components is known in the field.Various permanent magnets have been used, and these can be provided withvery strong magnetic fields. They are generally used to hold twooppositely magnetized components together. Such permanent magnets aregenerally made of non-precious metal alloys and for that reason are notdesirable for use in fine jewelry.

While there have been some attempts at making precious metal magnets,two problems have been encountered. Many precious metal magnets do notpossess sufficient magnetic strength to secure jewelry componentstogether. Furthermore, attempts at alloying such metals to increasetheir magnetic strength causes further dilution of the precious metalcontent of the alloy, thus rendering it less desirable for use injewelry components or articles. A magnetized platinum cobalt alloy isknown, but previously has not been deemed to be suitable for use injewelry components or articles.

In addition, highly magnetic jewelry articles can be problematic incertain situations. Contact of strong magnets with credit cards,computer disks or other magnetically sensitive materials can causedamage to such materials. Also, rings, bracelets and necklaces, ifstrongly magnetized, are generally located such that they can easilycome in contact with magnetically sensitive materials to cause damage orloss of information therein.

It also would be desirable to have magnetically joinable jewelrycomponents to assist designers in creating new visual appealing designsor for these components to have magnetic strengths that are sufficientlystrong to hold the jewelry components in desired arrangements orpositions. The present invention now satisfies these needs and providesother advantages for the use of magnetic components in fine and costumejewelry applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to jewelry components that are magnetized with thesame polarity and that are associated with a retaining element orelements so that the components magnetically repulse each other andprovide spatially arranged components that form new and unusual jewelryarticles having heretofore unknown properties and advantages. Inparticular, the present invention relates to jewelry components thatinclude a retaining member and a plurality of such components which areoperatively associated so as to magnetically repulse each other so aplurality of such components can be joined or combined into rings,bracelets, chains, chokers, necklaces, watchbands or the like, with themagnetic force holding the components apart. When the components aremoved or positionally changed in the piece due to movement of thewearer, gravitational changes or simple displacements, the magneticforces cause the components to return to their original positions. Thesemovements impart life and uniqueness to the jewelry articles thatinclude the components and elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE

The drawing figure illustrates a particular arrangement of similarlypolarized magnetized disks mounted in sliding relation upon a shaft withthe magnetic force providing a spaced vertical relation. If the disksare separated or are moved to be closer together, the magnetic forcereturns them to the arrangement shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a jewelry article comprising at leastfirst and second magnetic jewelry-forming components, each configuredand dimensioned in a predetermined shape and having a magnetizableportion for repulsive magnetic association with the other component,wherein the magnetizable portions repulse each other with a magneticstrength that can be overcome by a person's hand strength such that thecomponents can be placed in different positions relative to each other,and the first component further comprises a retaining structure thatprevents the second component from being completely separated from thefirst component when the magnetized portions of the components repulseeach other, such that the magnetic repulsion between the componentsenables them to attain a first configuration wherein the secondcomponent is positioned remotely from the first component and a secondconfiguration wherein the person's hand strength applies a force to urgethe components towards each other, wherein upon release of the force thecomponents return to the first configuration.

The invention also relates to a magnetic jewelry-forming component forpreparing a jewelry article comprising a body member configured anddimensioned in an ornamental shape and having a first magnetizableportion for repulsive magnetic association with at least one othermagnetic jewelry-forming component and at least one further element thathas a magnetized portion of the same polarity as the first magnetizableportion for magnetic association therewith, wherein the body member hasa magnetic strength that can be overcome by a person's hand strengthsuch that the body member and at least one other magneticjewelry-forming component can be placed in different positions relativeto each other, and wherein the further element comprises a retainingstructure that prevents complete separation of the body member from theat least one other magnetic jewelry-forming component when the firstmagnetized portion of the body member is magnetically repulsed from theat least one other magnetic jewelry-forming component, wherein the bodymember has outer and inner surfaces, the at least one otherjewelry-forming component comprises at least one dimensioning memberthat is operatively associated with the body member with the firstmagnetizable portion of the body member and the dimensioning membermagnetically repulsing each other with a maximum magnetic strength thatcan be overcome by a person's hand strength, such that the magneticrepulsion between the body and dimensioning members enables thecomponent to attain a first configuration wherein the one component canbe affixed to a rod or rods, bar or other elongated object(s), the othercomponent is associated with the rod in a manner that enables it tofreely move along the rod and the stop can be positioned behind theother component to prevent its movement away from the body member by adesired distance. The other component is free to move between the bodymember and stop member, with the magnetic repulsion between thecomponents holding the second component away from the first.

Preferably, the components are maintained in their magnetic repulsionconfiguration by guides either through the components or constrainingthe components. This is important due to the fact that magnetic fieldsare unidirectional and opposite polarities prefer and dominate toattract each other. Generally, the components are designed with somecontrol to prevent attraction. In addition to the above, the componentscan be keyed, cammed or otherwise arranged guided to prevent thecomponents from moving into a position where they would attract ratherthan repel. For example, two magnets shaped like spoke wheels wouldnormally rotate slightly so that the spokes do not align and then wouldcome together because space between fields are reversed. To maintainrepulsion with these forms, a keyed axle, i.e., a square shaped axel andsquare hole in the wheel, is used to maintain the spoke wheels in thedesired position.

Another preferred arrangement is to have the first and second componentsconnected by a flexible restraining structure, such as a wire or tether,so that the components can move relative to each other but only by apredetermined distance. Alternatively, the components can be placed in achamber of a transparent material or a cage so that they can moverelative to each other while still being visible. The chamber can beconfigured in any desired cylindrical shape, such that round, polygonaletc, where the components are configured to move only vertically in thechamber. This can be accomplished, for example, by configuring arectangular shaped component in a rectangular chamber. Any shapedcomponent that keys or is otherwise restrained from rotation can beused. These cage or chamber structures provide the limits in furthestseparation distance of the components. It is important to recognize thatthe polarity of the components must be such that the same polarity oneach component faces the other, so that the maximum repulsive force isgenerated to urge the components apart. dimensioning member ispositioned remotely from the body member and a second configurationwherein the person's hand strength urges the dimensioning memberstowards the body member.

In one embodiment, the body member has at least one female elementassociated therewith for magnetically attracting and receiving a maleelement of the at least one other magnetic jewelry-forming component,with the first magnetized portion providing a minimum magnetic strengththat is sufficient to retain the male element within the female elementand a maximum magnetic strength that can be overcome by a person's handstrength to separate the male and female elements, such that a pluralityof such components can be magnetically coupled to form an article ofjewelry. The body member can have an arcuate shape with the femaleelement is located at an end of the arcuate shape, and wherein thefemale element defines a cavity having a depth sufficient to receive amale element of the other jewelry-forming component at differentpositional relationships therein.

Alternatively, the further element can be a male element that extendsaway from the female element and is located on the opposite end of thearcuate shape, with the male element having a forward end that ismagnetically attracted to the first magnetizable portion of the bodymember of the at least one other magnetic jewelry-forming component. Thebody member then can be at least partially tubular and with firstmagnetized portion of the body member being provided by a magnetizedpellet or disk member. Also, the further element can be female elementlocated on an opposite end of the tubular body member. Preferably, eachfemale element defines a cavity having a depth sufficient to receive amale element at different positional relationships therein, and eachfemale element is magnetized to attract oppositely polarized maleelements.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a jewelry article in theform of a ring, bracelet, anklet, chain, choker, necklace, or watchbandcomprising between two and two hundred jewelry-forming componentsdefined herein. These articles are conveniently formed by a plurality ofjewelry-forming components with sufficient surrounding structure ormembers to retain the components in magnetic association. Generally, thesurrounding structure or members help guide and constrain the componentsso that they are not repulsed out of a desired magnetic relation or outof the jewelry article. This is generally achieved by the use of one ormore stop members which help define a boundary within which thecomponents are located. For example,

When one component is in the form or a body member affixed onto a rod,bar or other elongated object, then at least one other component can beassociated with or placed along the rod in an arrangement such that themagnetic repulsion of the components causes the second component to befree-floating or levitating above the body member of the firstcomponent. These components are provided with essentially the samemagnetic polarity so that they repulse each other and with a maximummagnetic strength that can be overcome by a person's hand strength, suchthat the magnetic repulsion between the components can be changed byhand force. This enables the second component to be moved between afirst configuration wherein it is positioned remotely from the bodymember and a second configuration wherein the person's hand strength,gravity or other forces cause the component to move away from or eventoward the body member, thus imparting motion to the jewelry article.

The relative size of the components or the degree of magnetivity can beused to achieve the desired spacing between them. For example, arelatively large component can be used to force relatively smallercomponents to be repulsed further away. Alternatively, relativelyheavier components can be used so that their weight causes movementtoward each other with the magnetic force then causing the components tomove apart. When arranged vertically, gravitation force is a majorconsideration, with the components levitating due to the magneticrepulsion. When the components are arranged in a horizontalconfiguration, gravitational effects are reduced. The movements of thecomponents imparted by magnetic repulsion provides unique effects in thejewelry article.

The drawing FIGURE illustrates a preferred article in the form of anearring 10. The earring has a central rod 15 upon which three disks 20,25, 30 are mounted. Each disk is shown solid but may have a band ofprecious stones, such as diamonds, mounted around its periphery. Theyalso may have other adornments or ornamentation, or they can be ofdifferent shapes or sizes. The lowermost disk 20 can be affixed to therod 15, whereas the top disks 25, 30 can freely move vertically up anddown on the rod 15. Disks 25, 30 are configured so that they can rotateon the rod 15 as well. A stop member in the form of a peripheral rib 35is provided to limit the upward movement of the top disk 30.Alternatively, the lowermost disk 20 can sit on a stop member 40 toprevent downward movement of that disk, and it can be configured so thatit also rotates on the rod 15. Each disk is magnetized with the samepolarity, so that they repulse each other to a spaced relation. Forexample, the bottom disk 20 repulses the middle disk 25 which in turnrepulses the upper disk 30. The middle disk 25 also repulses the lowerdisk 20 downwards. The resulting spacing is achieved as shown in thedrawing. As the person wearing the earring walks or moves, suchmovement, along with the weight of the disks and gravity, causes the toptwo disks 25, 30 to move downward, but the magnetic repulsion force thencauses those disks to move upward. This movement makes the piece appearto be magically levitating and changing as the person moves, thusproviding a unique appearance that heretofore has not been achieved. Therelative size and weight of the disks can be achieved to obtain adesired spacing or other spatial arrangement. The top of the rod has alinkage to a post 50 which can be rotated to a perpendicular position tothe rod and inserted into the pierced ear lobe for engaging an holdingelement that enables the earring to be worn.

While a single rod is illustrated, one or more rods, wires or similarretaining elements can be used to maintain the disks in the desiredspaced magnetic repulsive arrangement.

The disks are shown in the drawing as having a circular circumferencebut of course any size or shape can be used. While flat surfaces inopposed magnetic repulsion are preferred these are not required as themagnetic forces can be emanate from any shape. This feature enables theinvention to have parts with holes, recesses, cavities, slots or otherdiscontinuities with other components being held in magnetic associationor repulsion in the holes or slots along with, or by, the appropriaterestraining member or members. The skilled artisan can contemplate awide variety of variations of how to implement or incorporate thesefeatures in a final article of jewelry. For example, if one component isprovided with a cylindrical cavity having a sufficient depth, the othercomponent can be configured to fit within the cavity. The weight of thesecond component can be selected so that it cannot be repulsed out ofthe cavity whereas the magnetic force between the two componentsmaintains the distance between them. The cavity can include openings orslots in its cylindrical sidewall to provide greater visibility of thesecond component therein. Alternatively, the second component can beassociated with the cavity with a mechanical connection that preventscomplete separation, such as configuring the cavity with include anarrowed or partially blocked opening or with a stop member as describedpreviously.

For any of these embodiments, an adornment of a precious stone, amaterial having a different color from that of the body member, indicia,or a part of a character, pattern or design can be included for furthervisual effects in the final article. For example, the magnetic fieldemitted or radiated by one component can be used to configure additionalcomponents to form indicia or other ornamental patterns that are visiblewhen the components are in their usual magnetic repulsion positions. Themagnetized components can be arranged so that they are uniquelyengageable to form the article. The jewelry article can alsomagnetically join or repulse these components and their adornments toform a bracelet, brooch, pin or earring. The jewelry article can alsoinclude components that form a clasp, with the movement of thecomponents from one position to another position signifying the properclosing of the clasp.

The term “adornment” is used herein to generally define any item that isadded to the jewelry component or article. This would include stones,stone mountings, or inserts, overlays, or other attachments of aprecious, semi-precious or non-precious metal or alloy, or of coatingsof metal, plastic or elastomers that are provided upon or with thecomponent or article. The adornment is preferably permanently attachedor joined to the component or article but it can also be releasablyassociated with the component or article, e.g., a charm.

The jewelry article can also include a restraining component tofacilitate connection or removal of the article for wearing. A preferredcomponent is a hinge or clasp. The article can include components thatform a clasp, with the movement of the components from one position toanother position signifying the proper closing of the clasp. The jewelryarticle can also include a plurality of magnetized locations arranged tobe offset for providing rotational movement to the components as theycome together to automatically provide a mechanical interlock of thecomponents.

As noted, the relative size of the magnetized areas is also taken intoconsideration. While the same size areas can be magnetized forconvenience, different size areas can be provided as well. In general,the larger the size of the magnetized area, the lesser number of suchareas are needed. It is desirable to make the matching magnetized areasof each component the same size, but this is not critical.

One reason for making multiple areas of magnetic field is to obtainrelative small but short localized field strengths. These would providemuch weaker overall magnetic strength than if the entire ring or jewelryobject is to be magnetized. Also, the smaller magnetized areas are moresuperficial in nature, and the field lines do not radiate far beyond theobject if at all. Thus, the jewelry has no deleterious affect onwatches, credit cards, computer disks or related items, while stillproviding magnetic force sufficient to impart the desired features tothe jewelry.

It should be noted that the magnetic strength of the joined componentscan be overcome much more easily by applying a shearing force ratherthan by trying to pull apart the components in directly oppositedirections. For this reason, it is sometimes useful to design a flangeor other retention member that prevents sliding motion for shearing theparts.

In a useful arrangement, between 6 and 24 equally spaced magnetic polesare provided around each component. Preferably, 8 to 20 poles are used,with particularly advantageous effects being obtained with 12 to 16poles. In general, between 4 and 40 poles can be used.

In yet another embodiment, the multiple poles can be configured in thecomponent as an indicia or other ornamental pattern that would beinvisible during wearing of the component until and unless particles orfilms of magnetizable indicators, e.g., iron filings or films that areresponsive to magnetic fields, come into proximity with the component.These embodiments indicate the wide range of utility of the presentinvention.

The invention is not limited to earrings but can be applied to manydifferent types of jewelry components using the principles disclosedherein. For example, the magnetic portions can be used to form chainlinks, clasps or stone mountings. One portion can be used tomagnetically mount an adornment onto any other portion that forms partof a larger jewelry article. For example, a bracelet or necklace can beprovided with magnetized portions that can receive other magnetizedportions that carry stones, crystal or contrasting color components orthe like. In this way, the owner of the piece can custom design it forthe occasion by attaching the desired color coordinated stones orcolored portions for example to complement an outfit or signify theoccasion.

Another advantageous utility of the tactile sensation of the portionsclicking or locking into position is when the portions are utilized aspart of a clasp having no visible means of connection. The clickingprovides an indication of a positive locking of the parts together sothat the user knows that the article has been properly joined forwearing. In addition, the multiple poles can be offset so that uponcontact of the components, the poles impart a rotational movement to onecomponent relative to the other, and this movement can be used to createan automatic mechanical interlock as the component moves from oneposition to another. This provides an even more secure connection andclosing of the clasp.

There are numerous ways to provide the plural magnetic locations on thearticle. Conventional magnetic materials can be buried or hidden ingold, silver or other precious metals that are not magnetizable. In thisway, the precious metal would provide the desired appearance of thepiece while the hidden magnetized material would provide the desiredmagnetic pole.

A less complex way to achieve this result is to utilize a magnetizableprecious metal, such as POLARIUM® as described herein. This alloy, whichis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,567, can simply be magnetized in thedesired locations using the appropriate fixtures as is known to theskilled magnetist.

Other magnetizable precious metal alloys can also be used if desired. Inall cases, the magnetic strength of the alloy must be sufficiently highto provide secure magnetic joining of the components without generatinghigh magnetic fields that would affect magnetic sensitive componentswhen handled by a wearer of the jewelry. For example, a person wearingearrings according to the preferred embodiment can safely handle creditcards or computer diskettes without damaging the electronic informationtherein. A distance of as small as 1/16th of an inch or less between thearticle and magnetic sensitive component is generally sufficient toavoid problems of this type.

For costume jewelry or other less expensive pieces, conventionalpermanent magnets rather than precious metal magnets can instead beused. These can be visible or hidden, such as by coatings,encapsulation, or encasement, or as an inlay or by placement into arecess in a jewelry article or component.

Any cross sectional configuration of the components is possible.Although shown as round in the preferred embodiments of thesecomponents, other configurations such as polygonal, elliptical orcombinations thereof are suitable. When male and female components areused, they preferably have the same configuration, but this is notnecessary and any matable configurations can be used. Also, the shape ofthe outer surface of these components is unlimited and can be of anydesired shape with or without additional ornamentation, undulations, orother surface characteristics.

The preferred magnetic strength should be between 200 and 4500 Gaussdepending upon distances between the parts, types, shapes and sizes ofmagnets, etc. As the skilled artisan would know, this magnetic strengthshould be sufficiently low that the elements can be easily separated byhand or finger force, or even by the weight of the components. Dependingupon the specific designs utilized, the article can be separated intothe jewelry-forming components or the components can be moved todifferent relative positions, thus enabling the article to temporarilyassume an expanded or larger size configuration to facilitate placementon the wearer.

In some designs, if desired or necessary, the components can bedisassembled to allow cleaning or rearrangement. Different componentscan reassembled in a different arrangement, if desired, or can beinterchanged with other components of similar size to provide adifferent appearance to the piece, e.g., by providing different colors,stones or other items to match the clothing or the wearer or to simplyprovide a different visual effect to the piece.

Typical sizes for the jewelry-forming components of the invention canvary over a wide range. Generally, arcuate shaped components are used,but the designer has an unlimited selection of desirable sizes, shapes,colors, etc., depending upon the visual effects to be achieved, ofcourse limited only by sizes that can be worn by the wearer withoutdiscomfort or injury.

The components of the invention can be used for many purposes. Forexample, a conventional necklace can be provided with a plurality ofcomponents that have oppositely polarized male (or female) elementsextending away from the wearer. Then a plurality of ornamentations, suchas gem or stone settings or metal shapes, e.g., cubes, polygons,figures, letters or numbers, etc., can be provided with a female (ormale) element of opposite magnetic polarity to that of the maleelements, This allows the user to connect the ornamentations onto thenecklace in a desired manner by magnetically coupling the male andfemale elements. This arrangement allows the user to custom design thenecklace for the occasion by adding the desired stones and otherornamentations, Moreover, since the couplings are not permanent, thenecklace can be rearranged or redesigned as desired for future uses.

By including an appropriate post or clasp arrangement on one of thejewelry-forming component of the invention, the skilled artisan is ableto create a wide range of earring designs from such components. Inaddition, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that thecomponents of the invention can be used in combination with additionalfunctional parts such as hinges, rivets, ball and socket joints, andother engineered items that allow for motion between the components.When a ball and socket type joint is used, the ball and socket can bemagnetized with different polarities so that the can be maintainedtogether in magnetic association. The final jewelry articles that can bemade vary greatly, thus demonstrating the versatility of thejewelry-forming components of the invention. These examples are notintended to be limiting for the invention, as skilled artisans caneasily create additional structures or methods to accomplish the desiredresults.

The magnetic repulsion between the body member and the dimensioningmembers has a maximum strength that can be overcome by a person's handstrength. Generally, as a skilled artisan would know, a magneticstrength of between 200 and 4500 Gauss, depending upon distances betweenparts, types, shapes, and sizes of magnets, would be sufficiently low tobe overcome by hand strength or by force applied in wearing the product.Hence, the force applied by the wearer to slide on the ring easilyovercomes the magnetic force between the body member and thedimensioning members, urging the dimensioning members to spread out.With the wearer's hand strength urging the dimensioning members tospread out, the ring attains a different configuration in which thedimensioning members are moved towards and positioned closer to the bodymember.

The preferred alloys for use in this invention are magnetized preciousmetal alloys, such as those which are platinum based and contain atleast about 70% platinum by weight. While amounts as high as 95% byweight are suitable, the most preferred amount is between 75 and 80% byweight as these amounts enable the strongest magnetic properties to beachieved. In order to impart magnetic properties to these alloys, cobaltis added and the alloy is heat-treated. The amount of cobalt can rangefrom about 5 to 30% by weight, and is complementary to the weight of theplatinum. As between these two components, a weight ratio of 70:30 to95:5 Pt:Co is preferable. An example of this material is known asPOLARIUM® and is available from the inventor. This alloy, which isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,567, is preferred for fine jewelrybecause it has greater magnetic power than known magnetic gold alloys.

Of course, various changes and modifications of the preferredembodiments are apparent to the skilled artisan after viewing thisdisclosure. For example, the number of components is not critical and itshould be understood that two, three, four, or more can be used and fallwithin the scope of the present invention. This allows the designer tocreate multiple portion rings, clasps, bracelets or necklaces, etc.,with the components repulsing each other when worn. Also, the componentscan be concentric, where one fits into the other, and the outer one haswindows or cut-out portions to allow viewing of the adornments on theouter surface of the inner component. Any changes and modifications thatfall within the true spirit and scope of the inventions disclosed hereinare intended to be encompassed and covered by the appended claims.

1. A jewelry article comprising at least first and second magneticjewelry-forming components, each configured and dimensioned in apredetermined shape and having a magnetizable portion for repulsivemagnetic association with the other component, wherein the magnetizableportions repulse each other with a magnetic strength that can beovercome by a person's hand strength such that the components can beplaced in different positions relative to each other, and the firstcomponent further comprises a retaining structure that prevents thesecond component from being completely separated from the firstcomponent when the magnetized portions of the components repulse eachother, such that the magnetic repulsion between the components enablesthem to attain a first configuration wherein the second component ispositioned remotely from the first component and a second configurationwherein the person's hand strength applies a force to urge thecomponents towards each other, wherein upon release of the force thecomponents return to the first configuration.
 2. The jewelry article ofclaim 1 wherein at least two jewelry forming components are providedwith magnetized portions that facilitate retention of the components inspaced relation in a first position, so that at least one component canbe moved with respect to the other by a user and, when the user releasesthe moved component, it automatically returns to the first position. 3.The jewelry article of claim 1 wherein the jewelry forming componentsare arranged on an axis so that one can me moved rotationally withrespect to the other.
 4. The jewelry article of claim 3 wherein thefirst and second body members are at least partially arcuate in shape.5. The jewelry article of claim 1 wherein one or all of the componentsincludes one or more adornments.
 6. A magnetic jewelry-forming componentfor preparing a jewelry article comprising a body member configured anddimensioned in an ornamental shape and having a first magnetizableportion for repulsive magnetic association with at least one othermagnetic jewelry-forming component and at least one further element thathas a magnetized portion of the same polarity as the first magnetizableportion for magnetic association therewith, wherein the body member hasa magnetic strength that can be overcome by a person's hand strengthsuch that the body member and at least one other magneticjewelry-forming component can be placed in different positions relativeto each other, and wherein the further element comprises a retainingstructure that prevents complete separation of the body member from theat least one other magnetic jewelry-forming component when the firstmagnetized portion of the body member is magnetically repulsed from theat least one other magnetic jewelry-forming component, wherein the bodymember has outer and inner surfaces, the at least one otherjewelry-forming component comprises at least one dimensioning memberthat is operatively associated with the body member with the firstmagnetizable portion of the body member and the dimensioning membermagnetically repulsing each other with a maximum magnetic strength thatcan be overcome by a person's hand strength, such that the magneticrepulsion between the body and dimensioning members enables thecomponent to attain a first configuration wherein the dimensioningmember is positioned remotely from the body member and a secondconfiguration wherein the person's hand strength urges the dimensioningmembers towards the body member.
 7. The jewelry-forming component ofclaim 6, wherein a plurality of magnetized locations are symmetricallydistributed on the component member and each has about the same size andshape.
 8. The jewelry-forming component of claim 7, wherein theplurality of magnetized locations are arranged so that the componentsare uniquely engageable to form the article.
 9. The jewelry-formingcomponent of claim 6, which further includes an adornment of a preciousstone, a material having a different color from that of the body member,indicia, or a part of a character, pattern or design.
 10. Thejewelry-forming component of claim 6, wherein the magnetic field emittedor radiated by the plurality of magnetized locations is configured in anindicia or other ornamental pattern that is invisible until revealed bymagnetic particles or films.